A talented amateur artist who is living with dementia at a Surbiton care home is passing on her skills to a member of staff.

Anne Pieroni is giving weekly lessons to Royal Star & Garter’s Deputy Home Manager Yasmin Rogers, after Yasmin confided in the resident that she was “rubbish” at art.

It resulted in Anne offering to teach Yasmin and has led to the pair enjoying sessions together lasting up to an hour.

Anne’s family say the classes and other person-centred care provided at the Home is “making a real difference to her wellbeing.”

The classes came about while Anne was attending one of the regular art activities that are put on by the Home. While admiring Anne’s work, Yasmin lamented her own artistic shortcomings and from there the idea of their art class was born, with lessons beginning in June.

Yasmin said: “My goal is to paint a canvas but Anne said I need to master the basics first so we’re sketching with a pencil. She’s a brilliant teacher. She’s very patient and not shy of telling me where I’ve gone wrong, which happens quite often!”

“It’s part of her identity”

The classes have resulted in the protégé’s art improving to such an extent that her husband is doubting the work she brings home is really hers! But there is more to her lessons with Anne than just learning to draw and paint. Yasmin said: “Anne has such talent and it’s important that she maintains her skills for as long as possible. For Anne, it’s more than just a hobby – it’s part of her identity. It’s her passion, she loves art, and continuing to paint helps her stay connected to an important part of who she is.”

She continued: “The time we spend together is invaluable. We just sit together, chatting away and it’s lovely. Anne tells me how much she enjoys it as well, and I love being out of my office and spending time with our residents.”

Arts and crafts activities are regularly held at Royal Star & Garter’s Homes and is an important part of the care it provides. Taking part in these activities and other beloved pastimes can improve overall wellbeing and quality of life for older people and people living with dementia.

Anne has lived at the Surbiton Home since 2021. The 92-year-old inherited her passion for art from her mother, and has an easel set up in her room at Royal Star & Garter where she enjoys spending time painting.

“It’s made a real difference to her wellbeing”

Her daughter Margaret said: “As a family, we are incredibly grateful to see Mum’s talent being recognised and nurtured. Knowing that she is supported at Royal Star & Garter to keep doing something she loves means the world to us and has made a real difference to her wellbeing. Living with dementia has brought its challenges, but the encouragement, patience and understanding shown by staff have helped Mum maintain a passion that is such an important part of who she is.”

Royal Star & Garter is a charity which provides loving, compassionate care and support to veterans and their families living with disability or dementia, from Homes in Solihull, Surbiton, High Wycombe and Worthing. It also runs services reaching out into the community including Day Care, Lunch Club and a national Telephone Friendship Service.

Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton is welcoming new residents. For more information on this, the other services it provides or to work at the Home, go to www.starandgarter.org/Surbiton